Tuesday, November 2, 2010

Smart Communications, Inc. http://smart.com.ph/, in collaboration with the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Association (PAG-ASA) http://www.pagasa.dost.gov.ph/ and the Typhoon Committee Foundation Inc., (TCFI) proudly presented the first Rain Watchers Awards launched at the Concepcion Elementary School in Marikina City.

Sixty-eight public schools in flood-prone areas nationwide have a chance to win Php 25,000 in cash prizes and cellular phones or take home Smart Bro prepaid plug-in units.

Smart, as the head sponsor of the event, set criteria in judging the schools for the said competition: ability to collect, read and report rainfall data (55points); raise awareness about the importance of rainfall monitoring in their respective schools (30 points); and form partnerships to sustain interest in and support for the initiative within their community (15 points).

TCFI Chairman and Agham Party List http://www.agham-partylist.org.ph/ Representative Angelo B. Palmones noted that they highly support this effort to recognize the schools that have consistently and conscientiously monitoring rainfall. Moreover, he also hoped that this will strengthens PAGASA’s capacity to determine fine-scale rainfall patterns necessary to describe local climate and to come up with more accurate weather reporting and forecasting in local communities.